Cold War: 20 Products to Fight Dry Winter Skin

During a holiday trip to the Bahamas last December, New York dermatologist Julie Karen, M.D., was pleasantly surprised when a few hours after she landed in the tropical climate her hands, which for weeks had been dry and cracking, felt suddenly soft. “The effects of winter on the skin are undeniable,” she says, referring to parched elbows, lips so flaky not even the creamiest lipstick stands a chance, and those tiny red bumps that creep up on the backs of arms and legs. Fortunately, by following a few key guidelines, and creating a tailored regimen with the right products, it can (mostly) all be avoided. Here, Vogue’s tips for a season of smooth, soft skin all over:

Skin care begins in the shower. “You have to make seasonal changes,” says Karen, who recommends short showers using tepid water—a long, hot shower can actually leave skin dry—and products with minimal lather. Because soap and strong fragrances (in all skin care) can be further irritants, she suggests mild, fragrance-free washes for the body and face. Neosporin’s creamy Moisture Essentials Daily Body Wash was developed to be gentle enough for even eczema-prone skin.

For maximum moisturizing out of the shower, Karen recommends applying creams or oils while skin is still damp. “Your body will be so thirsty for moisture, it will soak up all the product right away; some of it will evaporate, too, so it’s best to leave a tiny film of water [on skin],” she says. Eucerin’s new Professional Repair Lotion has Gluco-Glycerol, which redirects moisture to the outermost layer of the skin; nourishing oils—from marula (from the African marula tree) to argan (from the Moroccan argan tree)—absorb quickly and leave skin with a healthy-looking sheen. Clarins’ divine-smelling Tonic Body Treatment Oil is heaven on just-shaved legs.

When Clinique’s global brand president, Lynne Greene, came home from a week-long trip abroad with skin so dry and inflamed she couldn’t use any of her regular products, she challenged her lab to come up with the ultimate moisturizer—one that would instantly calm and hydrate the angriest skin without clogging pores. They answered her with Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator, a comforting gel-cream that continuously replenishes the skin, rebuilding the barrier’s strength and reducing water loss, for 24 hours.

Fresh cofounder Lev Glazman promises that his Crème Ancienne eye cream is so hydrating that, when it’s used at night, you can still feel it on your skin in the morning. And he’s right.

Cracked hands and ragged cuticles are par for the course in winter—and dry heat indoors does not help. Jurlique’s clever hand sanitizer kills germs and moisturizes.

And chapped lips meet their match with Beverly Hills dermatologist Stuart H. Kaplan, M.D.’s Lip 20 Balm, which he recommends to his patients on Accutane, and Rodan+Fields’ Anti-Age Lip Renewing Serum. Our editors suggest popping one of the silver mono-dose capsules open before bed for truly transformed lips by morning.